Quiz: Howstuffworks

Do You Know If This Animal is a Carnivore, Omnivore, or Vegetarian?

Jody Mabry

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

We bet you thought this was going to be an easy quiz, but when it comes down to carnivores, omnivores and herbivores that ease factor may not be as simple as you think. Sure, an animal might eat grass and grain, but you might not know their favorite delicacy is small rodents. Or, perhaps your carnivorous animal sneaks seeds, weeds, and fruit when you're not looking.

While some animals are cannibalistic, others won't touch the stuff. While other animals would rather starve than eat meat, others will break with their ideals. We know you're an animal lover, but would you know what to feed them if the time came? Could you figure out what a llama or a camel eats? Do you know if a mouse just eats pellets, or do they eat everything? Are all birds omnivores, or do some just eat meat and others just eat plant-based foods?

Humans eat everything, but how about their closest cousins such as monkeys and apes? This is the quiz for those who are natural animal lovers - and foodies all the same. How do you eat? And do you think you compare? From peacock to pigeon to puma, how well do you know the animal world?

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Hyenas are found in Africa and possess a sturdy build. They can weigh between 90 -and190 pounds. They mature at 3 years old with the females being larger than the males. Hyenas can live up to 25 years in the wild and are social animals.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

There are around 1,100 species of bats worldwide. By the way, that's a quarter of the world’s mammals! Only in the US, there are 40 species of bats - the only mammals with wings capable of real, long flight.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

African Wild Dogs are social animals and can be found in packs of 10 to 40. The average lifespan of these creatures is around 11 years in the wild and they are endangered due to hunting. Interestingly, they only have 4 toes on each foot. Each dog has its own unique coat pattern, but they all have the same big round ears.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

These fluffy and short-legged creatures are as not cute as they seem to be. Badgers are carnivorous species and have the reputation of being the most fearless and vicious of all mammals.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Tasmanian devils were once very common throughout Australia but are now only found on the island of Tasmania. They are vicious beasts that will defend their territory at all costs. Tasmanian devils are actually marsupials, from the same family as kangaroos. They can weigh up to 26 pounds and live for around five years in the wild.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

There are thousands of species of butterflies that can be found on almost every continent except Antarctica. Butterflies are truly unique, beautiful creatures with compound eyes that can see ultraviolet light.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Moths are usually known as dull, useless pests, but these insects are surprisingly diverse. There's much more to these misunderstood insects than meets the eye - for example, most of them can impersonate other animals, while some moths are important pollinators.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

The grizzly bear was recently removed from the endangered species list. This bear is territorial and very aggressive. It is an omnivore, eating mostly fish and fruit. The grizzly can grow to 8 feet tall and weigh up to 800 pounds. They have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years in the wild, although few young cubs will actually make it to adult size.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Small and cute, chipmunks are well known for their extensive burrow systems and love of nuts. What a lot of people overlook, though, is that chipmunks, despite their small size, can significantly damage lawns, yards, houses and entire farms.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Out of 26 species of pythons, the rock python is known as the most ill-tempered of pythons and they are said to come out of the egg striking. Africa's largest rock python can grow up to 7 meters in length. They have flexible jaws and skin that allows them to eat large prey.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

While there are over 5,000 frog species worldwide, each one is unique and has a special call that can be heard miles away. A frog’s call is loud and unique to its species.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

One of only a few poisonous lizards in the entire world, the Gila monster is a big creature native to the United States and Mexico. At a length of two feet and a maximum weight around five pounds, the Gila monster is the largest lizard that can be found on this continent. As its name suggests, the Gila monster has one of the worst reputations among the reptiles.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Sea lions live in every ocean but the Atlantic. When they dive deeper than 225 meters, their lungs collapse - but they reinflate on the way back up to the surface. They are mammals and must breathe air, so they cannot stay under water forever. A group of sea lions in the water is called a raft.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Why do cows chew on their cud? It's a part of how they digest their food. Cow's stomachs have four parts, and after the food enters the first part, cows burp it back up and chew on it to make it more easily digestible for the second part of their stomach.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

It is no wonder some people do not like to eat pork, knowing what pigs feed on all day long. Pigs will eat any kind of scraps- corn cobs, old veggies, bugs and anything else you want to put in the compost bin!

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

The ostrich is a flightless bird. It is the largest bird species and can reach a height up to 9 feet and weigh up to 350 pounds. They are fast runners with long legs. They are omnivores, eating mostly grass, succulents and berries, along with the occasional lizard or rodent. They swallow pebbles to help grind the food in their gizzard. Ostrich communal nests hold up to 60 eggs.

Shutterstsock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Have you ever wished that you could sleep while standing? If you were a horse you could do just that; horses sleep while laying down and standing up. Horses have big teeth and big eyes, in fact, their eyes are the largest of any land mammal.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Caiman range in size from the dwarf caiman that is just over a meter long to the black caiman that can reach over 5 meters. The female caiman builds a large nest, which will hold between 10 and 50 eggs. They will hatch in 65 to 104 days.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

There are millions of sheep in the world, but do you know which country houses the most? China has the most sheep of any country in the world.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Next time you see a duck, look closely at its markings and coloring. Not all ducks are the same! There are many different types of ducks, including mallards, spotted whistling and black bellied whistling.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Leopards are similar to lions, but unlike lions, they are graceful and quiet creatures, only making a cough-like call. They hunt by either stalking their prey or ambushing them. Leopards are able to carry very heavy prey and often drag their kills up into the fork of a tree. Unlike cheetahs, leopards have retractable claws.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Did you know that goats were one of the first animals that humans tamed? They can even be called by name like dogs! Although it is not as popular in the U.S., goat meat is the most widely eaten meat per capita in the world.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Bunnies are cute creatures that usually are non-imposing, as they feed on grass and other plants and keep to themselves. They have a high reproduction rate, and only live about three years.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Fur seals have external ears, unlike most seals. They have thick underfur that helps to keep them warm in the cold water. Fur seals are mostly targeted by killer whales and sharks. Pups are eaten by leopard seals. Fur seals can stay out at sea for weeks on end. Female fur seals are known as cows and the males as bulls.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

The cougar has more than 80 different names, which include mountain lion, puma and panther. A cougar's tail is almost as long as its head and body combined. It can run up to 50 miles per hour. Unlike the lion, the cougar does not roar, but rather it can whistle, purr, scream or squeak to communicate.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Although it may seem as though Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving due to tradition, it actually is not! The pilgrims ate more venison than turkey, and according to historians they didn't even eat potatoes.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

A bull is the male version of a cow. They are in the same family as goats, buffalo, gazelles and more. They are regarded as sacred animals in India!

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Adult jaguars weigh as much as 210 pounds. Jaguars and leopards are often confused because of their similar coats, but unlike the leopard, the jaguar has a small spot in each of the rosettes on his body. Jaguars are also stockier and more muscular. The jaguar is a threatened species.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

The gorgeous tail feathers of this bird make up sixty percent of its body size! A peacock's tail feathers are called coverts and are used for mating purposes.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

If you want a pet that sleeps a lot, get a puppy. They sleep about 14 hours a day! Did you know that puppies are born without eyesight, hearing or teeth? They develop these later in life.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Cats are another popular pet, coming in at the second most popular pet to dogs in the U.S. What's not popular about cats? Those nasty hairballs. Did you know the technical term for a hairball is "bezoar?"

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Baboons have a lifespan of 15 to 30 years in the wild and can grow up to 80 pounds. They are the most identifiable of all the monkey types because of the tufts of hair on either side of their faces, as well as their large hairless bottoms. Baboons are omnivores and eat fruits, seeds, fish and insects. Although they sleep in trees, they spend most of their life on the ground, roaming around.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Cockfights are a historic spectator sport where two roosters are put together and made to fight. It is illegal in the U.S., but is popular in Spanish-influenced countries.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

The hammerhead shark is an endangered species. Its lifespan is between 25 and 35 years and it can weigh up to 600 pounds. This shark has a smooth skin with very wide-set eyes on a head that looks like a hammer.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Did you know that geese (not gooses) fly in the shape of the letter "v?" These creatures are no bird brains! Flying in a "v" conserves their energy and reduces the wind resistance for the geese flying in the back.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

The snow leopard is an endangered species, due to poaching and climate change. They are found in high mountains like the Himalayas and other central Asian areas. They have a thick fur covering their bodies to help keep them warm. The snow leopard's wide paws function as snowshoes.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Crows are notorious for plundering corn and other snacks from farmer's fields. The scarecrow was invented to prevent this from happening. Now you know the reason behind the cute fall decoration!

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Regardless of its gender, a horse is called a foal when it is born until it is about a year old. A foal needs its mother, or dam, during the first few months of its life to get food and for protection and learning.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Although they're known as black bears, these animals can range in color from black, dark brown, tan, and even white. They are omnivores and eat mostly fruits, nuts and rodents. TBlack bears are nocturnal and spend most of their time looking for food. They can weigh as much as 240 pounds and reach heights of up to 7 feet. Black Bears have shorter legs and claws than other bear species, making it easier for them to climb trees to escape from danger.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

There are many different types of pigeons, some being for show and some for more practical uses, such as delivering messages. The homing pigeon can be dropped off miles away from its home, and find its way back without any trouble. If your phone isn't working, use one of these to deliver a text!

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Did you know that camels and llamas are relatives? The llama is a staple source of power for people living in the Andes region in South America; they're used as pack animals.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

They can live up to 70 years in the wild with males reaching 17 feet in length and weighing up to 2,300 pounds. They are good swimmers and often swim far out to sea. Saltwater crocodiles are carnivores and opportunistic hunters, lurking in murky water, waiting on prey. They mostly prey on water buffalo, monkeys, wild boar and sometimes even sharks.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Rats are an animal that usually come with strong feelings attached; you love them or hate them. They are smart, and can make good pets, but also are the cause of infestations, feces on your carpet and food being taken from one's kitchen.

Shutterstock / colin robert varndell

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Although all mice may look similar, there are actually over thirty different species of mice. They are mostly nocturnal, which helps them stay away from their many predators.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

The walrus is a carnivore that eats a variety, including shellfish, worms, and snails. They can live up to 40 years and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. They only have one pup at a time who will stay with them for 2 years. They have two big front tusks that can grow up to 39 inches long. Walrus can be found in the cold Arctic waters.

SHutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Did you know that this type of pig is often used for medical research? If you're interested in having one of these cuties as a pet, you can buy them or adopt one from the American Mini Pig Rescue Advocates.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

They have a smooth skin with black stripes when young, although most will lose the stripes when they get older. Tiger sharks are carnivores and hunt everything in the water, as well as other sharks. Tiger sharks are the most aggressive of all sharks and most dangerous when in contact with humans. Tiger sharks can live up to 40 years.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Wild yaks are resilient to cold weather and can withstand temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit! This leads people to domesticate yaks in order to use their fur and fatty milk.

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Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

This type of camel has just one hump, and lives in the Middle East and North Africa. It is also called the Arabian camel, and is the smallest of all camels.

Shutterstock

Is this animal a carnivore, omnivore or vegetarian?

Carnivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

These are the biggest birds that are able to fly. They are relatives of storks but part of the vulture family. Andean condors have a lifespan of up to 50 years and weigh up to 33 pounds. Andean condors communicate through hisses, clicks and grunts.

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